Ironman spreads malicious gossip ..............

Bigman had a busy schedule today. At the end of that busy day was an outing with the Ironman. Now, it has become common knowledge that the Ironman has been passing around mailicious gossip that the Bigman is fitter than the Ironman. This gossip has gathered more momentum than Santiago on a downhill!

The gossip inspired the Bigman to visit the gym at the start of the day for a 1 hour workout on the step machine, treadmill, and weights in prepapration for the outing later in the day. This was followed up by a 1 hour 'cool' down in the steam room and sauna with a few laps of the pool thrown in. He was prepared to be at least half the fitness of the Ironman.

Before the outing Bigman managed to squeeze in a couple of meetings as part of his strategy to regain employment but only managed half a sandwich for lunch. This was not the best preparation for accompanying the Ironman.

16.30 was the planned meeting time, enabling the Ironman to visit our favourite bike shop, Hardies in Cairneyhill, to pick up some stingers for the Skye trip on Saturday. Bigman wanted to enquire about the compatability of his gear mechs for a compact chainring. He has a 52/39 chainring which gives little scope on the climbs. You easily and quickly arrive at the end of the gear changes with the horizon still sitting higher than you and you just have to dig deep. He had hoped he might be able to put on a compact before the weekend to help with the 9913 ft of climbing! It is not looking good. A long slog looks to be the order of teh day for the Bigman. He hopes the Ironman will be patient.

As Bigman and the Ironman blasted into a strong westerly wind on their normal 30 mile route, the Bigman took some opportunities to tuck in and enjoy the drag effect. Notwithstanding this, the Ironman struggled to get his heart rate monitor to read higher than 100. As the commentator in Taupo said - You are THE Ironman'

Both riders were keen to keep the pace up and so they melted back up the cycle track to Dunfermline with wind assistance. In true Ironman fashion, he decided the run had not been long enough and came into Dunfie to do an extra loop. Repect. Meanwhile the Bigman went home to wipe away the significant perspiration which now blocked half his glasses............... just a pity it covered the good eye!

At the evening weigh in, the Bigman is back at a record breaking 13st 8lbs after the days exertions. A plate of pasta rarely touched the sides as he carbs up for the Skye trip.